Horses For Sale Are Available In Rising Numbers

The number of horses for sale has grown in size

, largely due to economic slow down. Owners simply cannot afford to keep these expensive animals. Many horses end up in shelters simply because their owners can no longer afford to keep them. Even high-priced and well-trained show horses are selling for a small amount of what they used to sell for.

A horse is a long-term investment. One should take great care in the selection process, and put a lot of thought into whether he or she can maintain an animal on a constant basis. Animals can easily be found in all price ranges and breeds, and in almost every geographic area. The buyer should be prepared to ask the seller numerous detailed questions before making a decision to purchase a particular horse.

The first step is to make a decision on how the horse will be used. Decide what type of riding will be focused on, whether it is recreational riding, hunters, showjumping, endurance riding, dressage or three-day eventing. This helps to narrow down the search, enabling a buyer to successfully and efficiently find the right horse.

A wonderful way to begin a comprehensive search is to look at internet websites specializing in selling horses. Most of these websites are visited by buyers and sellers across the world. These resources provide access to horses used for a variety of activities. Information can be sorted by specific breed, as well as by location. The potential buyer can organize prospects by price, breed or riding discipline. Even if the animal is ultimately purchased from someone who has not advertised on the internet, these sites still provide valuable information from which the buyer can start his or her search.

Other more conventional methods include contacting breeders or trainers, or talking to breed associations. There is an association for almost every breed in existence. Individual sellers still advertise in conventional classified advertisements, especially if these ads are in horse magazines. Auctions are places where animals can be purchased quickly and at a low price. One should be an experienced horse person to ensure that the right animal is successfully chosen.

When visiting a prospect, bring a knowledgeable and trusted friend, colleague or trainer. Trainers charge a small fee for assisting in the search for a horse. This is worth the cost in order to find a good horse. Get either the trainer or the second person to ride the horse. Review the animal's ground manners as well. All of this provides good information regarding the horse's training and attitude.

Veterinary examinations are usually recommended. However the effectiveness of such an examination is somewhat controversial. Nevertheless, a complete stress test should be conducted. This helps to identify lameness issues. Some people believe that x-rays should be included in the exam, to thoroughly screen for any lameness issues. On the other hand, x-rays in older horses will usually show some sort of bone abnormality that may or may not cause lameness in the future.

A pre-purchase veterinary exam is recommended. This should include a complete stress test to rule out lameness. Some people like to have x-rays taken, but the efficacy of performing such a procedure is somewhat questionable. Certain individuals feel that x-rays are necessary to determine if there are any developing leg abnormalities. Others feel x-rays may falsely reveal issues that really are not problems.

by: Melanie Scott

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